Front Porch Cafe — Restaurant in Miami Beach

Title: An Unforgettable Culinary Journey at The Front Porch Cafe, Thanks to the Incredible Luis!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Front Porch Cafe, and I must say it was an experience I will cherish for a lifetime. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was enveloped in an atmosphere that exuded warmth, charm, and genuine hospitality. However, what truly made my visit exceptional was the outstanding service provided by the incredible Luis, our extraordinary waiter.

From the very beginning, Luis greeted us with a genuine smile that immediately put us at ease. His enthusiasm and passion for the restaurant were contagious, and it was evident that he took great pride in ensuring that every guest had an unforgettable dining experience. Throughout the evening, Luis effortlessly struck the perfect balance between attentiveness and giving us space to savor each moment.

Luis's knowledge of the menu was truly impressive. He guided us through the extensive selection with expertise and offered insightful suggestions that catered to our preferences. His attention to detail was exceptional, ensuring that our orders were taken accurately and promptly. Furthermore, his thorough understanding of the ingredients and preparation methods made our dining decisions effortless, leaving us with a sense of confidence in our choices.

Not only did Luis excel in his role as a waiter, but he also created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie that enhanced our overall experience. His genuine interest in our dining preferences and his willingness to engage in delightful conversation made us feel like valued guests, creating a welcoming ambiance that extended far beyond the delicious food.

Speaking of the food, every dish we ordered was a testament to the culinary artistry of The Front Porch Cafe. From the first bite to the last, each plate was a symphony of flavors meticulously crafted to perfection. The quality of the ingredients was evident, and the presentation was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Luis's expert timing ensured that our dishes arrived at the table with impeccable precision, leaving us in awe of the seamless coordination in the kitchen.

What truly sets The Front Porch Cafe apart is the dedication to providing an unforgettable dining experience. The attention to detail, the warm and inviting ambiance, and, most importantly, the exceptional service by Luis, all work in harmony to create an atmosphere of pure delight. The Front Porch Cafe is a testament to the art of hospitality, and Luis is the embodiment of this philosophy.

In conclusion, if you seek a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary, The Front Porch Cafe is an absolute must-visit. The combination of delectable cuisine, an inviting ambiance, and the exceptional service of Luis will leave you with memories that will linger long after the final bite. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant, and I extend my deepest gratitude to Luis for making our visit truly...

This review comes from a former customer (2013~2019), and a former employee (3-4 months in mid 2024). TAKE IT AS YOU WILL...

Once a charming little gem on Miami Beach, a must-visit for anyone who wanted a taste of what the city’s “vibe” was all about. Back when it was actually run by people who CARED, it was a reliable breakfast spot that I recommended to countless guests in a hotel I was working for at the time — because who wouldn’t want to enjoy a meal at a place with character (ahhh those penguin statues and early morning view of the park) and goooood food? Not a single complaint came my way. It WAS the place to go for a solid start to your day. But, of course, all good things must come to an end...

Enter the new era of Front Porch Cafe—or, more accurately, the RUINED VERSION. Somewhere during the pandemic, the ownership changed, and with it, the charm, the quality, and the entire concept of what made the place great. Now, instead of a smooth operation, it’s a chaotic mess, a “WHAT-THE HELL HAPPENED-HERE” kind of mess. Half the menu is always unavailable, and when it is available, there’s an EXCELLENT chance the food is wrong, VERY-VERY-VERY late, the ingredients are missing or it's just plated weird (e.g. once had a table of 3 all order Alfredo pasta, 2 with shrimp and one with chicken. Some cool people... Kitchen gave me three plates of pasta covered in sauce, with 3 side plates with cut up chicken breast and shrimp... O?!K?! O....K....!?!?). All the things that made Front Porch a place worth visiting? GONE, BABY, GONE. All that’s left is a hollow shell, propped up by a name that refuses to let go of the past.

And let’s not even get started on the OPERATIONAL ISSUES. The staff are left to handle the fallout of poor decisions, and you can’t even blame them. When you're dealing with BOUNCED CHECKS, LATE PAYMENTS, unanswered calls, and a complete LACK OF COMMUNICATION from the top, it’s a miracle the place is still running at all. Hygiene? ABSOLUTELLY NON-EXISTENT!!!! (I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO BE CLEAR ENOUGH ABOUT THIS, BUT...) EVERYTHING in the back end is dirty, sticky, smelly, rusty, broken, and again, DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY!!!

So, if you're considering Front Porch Cafe — whether it’s for a meal or potential employment — do yourself a favor and KEEP WALKING! Miami Beach has over 800 restaurants and 200 hotels, many of which actually care about the experience they’re offering. The once-iconic place you remember is GONE. All that’s left now is a sad imitation of what it used to be, held together by a name that no longer holds any weight. It’s a ghost of its former glory, and frankly, it should be ashamed of itself!

-Greetings and blessings from the "Little weird...

¡QUE MALO! I think they are paying for good reviews. 'It's the best food I've ever had" ?!?? 😂😂😂 LIES

I can't say how the food or drinks were, because we were ignored by all staff for 30min.

Not only did we have a rez but the young dark haired hostess was so rude and mad about being at work or something upon arriving, ok cool maybe a bad day. She sat us at a table where we proceeded to be ignored by the long haired dyed blonde server FOR 25 MINUTES on Sat at 1:20pm. She saw us and pretended she didn't. Multiple times. Not a smile, not a wave. She went and served existing tables multiple rounds of drinks but wouldn't even say hi or tell us she was 'busy but would be right back'. No water, nada.

We finally told the hostess who continued to sit over 5 more tables on same patio and she knodded with a mouthed "hang on", never offered us water or to help, maybe she went to tell server to come serve us, maybe she didn't. Server never came so in total 30 min, nada. On the way out I told the hostess "we are leaving no one came to even greet us, it's been 30 min" as we walked out- and she knodded and said in the weakest of seriousness "sorry".

What a terrible experience. We are patient in busy situations. This wasn't that. This was rude af staff who isn't trained on how to treat people, ya know the paying customers who contribute to their paychecks? No care in the world huh. No manger either to help her from drowning.

Restaurant 101: greet guests in the first few min, God at least 5, even if slammed to let them know so they know you are coming soon. Grab a drink order pretend to place it until you get caught up. Tell hostess to stop seating you a few minutes. Get someone to help you get waters. There were bussers and another server in and out of the patio.

Support staff like a hostess CAN help get waters, it's not rocket science to keep an eye on stand and get waters, if you have time to sit, clean the nasty menus and pour waters for guests being ignored. For the love of God STOP seating people on the patio if you notice tables aren't getting greeted or drink orders, it's called 'going on a wait' to let staff get caught up. Pretend you care at minimum. Try a smile. When someone walks out after complete ignoring on all staff- it's BAD BAD. Go get a manager upon being told guests were ignored 25+ minutes.

Went up to the Cuban restaurant La Mulata where a slammed server greeted us to say he was slammed and got us waters...we were patient, hostess gave the next table to another server (genius) and he got caught up and we had a great lunch with professionals.

It's ridiculous to be on vacation, and get treated so poorly. Welcome to...